Buffing wheel



F. J. LANSING Dec. 15, 1964 BUFFING WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.31, 1962 FIG. 2

. INVENTOR FREDERICK J. LANSING BY v hE utiorneys Dec. 15, 1964 F. J.LANSING 3,160,905

BUFFING WHEEL Filed DEC. 31, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 FGHI 8 N sINVENTOR.

9 FREDERICK J. LANSING F. J. LANSING 3,160,905

BUFF'ING WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 15, 1964 Filed Dec. 51, 1962JKLMNOP BCDEFGHI INVENTOR. FREDERICK J. LANSING ll his attorneys UnitedStates Patent ,0

3,160,? BUFFING WHEEL Frederick J. Lansing, Rochester, NY assigns-r toThe Schlegel Manufacturing Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation ofNew York Filed Dec. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 248,453 20 Claims. (Cl.1523tl.15)

This invention relates to buffing wheels. More particularly, theinvention relates to new and improved construction-s for bufiing andpolishing wheels of the radial strand type.

Buffing and polishing wheels of the radial strand type are usuallyformed with a plurality of layers of fabric. Each of these fabric layersis generally circular and is formed with concentric warp strands andwith generally radial weft strands. These wheels are generally used forcutting down or polishing, for example, to remove the grain lines fromprevious abrading operations, or for coloring, to impart a bright anddeep luster to the workpiece.

In use, such a wheel is mounted on a spindle or arbor, and is rotated ata high rate of speed. The workpiece is then engaged against theperipheral, working surface of the wheel. The ends of the weft or fillstrands, that extend radially of the wheel, function together to formthe working surface of the wheel. The cutting action of such a wheel hasbeen observed to be directly proportional to both the number of ends ofthe radially-extending strands and the wheel speed at its workingsurface, that is, its circumferential or peripheral speed.

In one radial strand buffing wheel construction, the number of radialstrand sections, in concentric circular sections of the wheel of anygiven constant size of arc lengths, such as, for example, one inch,increases out wardly from the center of the wheel. This is accomplishedby laying in Weft strands of din' erent lengths and increasing theirnumber toward the outer, working surface of the Wheel. Since the spindleis ordinarily driven at a constant rotary speed, as such a bufiing wheelwears down its peripheral speed drops and the number of radial strandends at its working surface also drops. Thus, the effectiveness of sucha wheel drops in a very marked manner as it is worn down.

In another type of construction for a radial strand buffing wheel, thereare substantially the same number of weft or of fill strands in aconcentric circular section one inch long at a section adjacent theperiphery of the wheel as there are in any circular section one inchlong inwardly of the wheel from its working surface. In a wheel of thistype, as the wheel wears down, the cutting action drops off in directproportion to the decrease in peripheral speed of the wheel.

Such variations in work rate make it difficult to standardize orautomate the operation for which th wheel is used. 7

One object of the present invention is to provide a bull?- ingwh eelthat is characterized by a substantially constant performance rate asthe wheel wears down, even though it is driven from a spindle or arborthat is operated at a constant rotary'speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a buffing wheel of theradialstrand type, that is sturdy and easy to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved buffingwheel of the radial strand type that has satisfactory body and firmnessand improved, consistent cutting action. v V i A further object of theinvention is to provide a hurling wheel of the character described thatcan be manufactured on existing equipment. p

" Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinice after fromthe specification and from the recital of the appended claims. To theseand other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements, andarrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described,the novel features being pointed out in the claims at'the end of thisspecification.

I have found that a practical bufiing wheel can be made that ischaracterized by a substantially consistent cutting action throughoutits useful life, by making a wheel that has a greater number of radialstrands, in concentric circular sections through the Wheel of any givenconstant arc length, from the periphery of the wheel toward its axis ofrotation. In other words, in a landing wheel that is constructed inaccordance with the present invention, and that is formed with generallycircular and concentric warp strands and with generally radial weftstrands, the weft strands are arranged so that the density of theexposed ends of the weft strands, in circular sections of similar areasthrough the wheel concentrically of the axis" of rotation of the wheel,increases from the periphery of the wheel inwardly toward its center.The term density is used to refer to the number of weft strands'thatpass through a unit area on a cylindrical surface that is concentricwith the axis of rotation of the wheel.

In the drawings:

' FIG. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a wheel that isconstructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2is a fragmentary section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded view, on an enlarged scale, of asector of the wheel shown in FIG. 1, showing one complete unit of apattern of repeating units of radial Weft strands, with only a small,representative number of warp strands shown;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional, exploded views taken on theconcentric, cylindrical section surfaces 4--%,

- 5-5, 66, 7-7, and 8-8 respectively of FIG. 3,

through a single layer of fabric, looking in the direction of thearrows, and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 3,looking in the, direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings by numerals of reference, thenumeral 10 denotes a buffing wheel that is formed from a plurality oflayers 11, 12, 13 and "14 (FIG.'2) of. fabric. Each of these layersrepresents one winding of helically-woven fabric. These fabric layersare wound about a core 15. A pair of stiff cardboard covers 16, 17 aremounted on opposite faces of the wheel, and are secured by a pluralityof staple fasteners 18 to inner marginal portions of the fabric layersover which they extend. The cardboard covers 16, 17, and the core 15,are formed with a conjoint bore 20, into which a spindle or arbor can beinserted.

Since thefabric layers are in the form of a continuous helical winding,their free ends must be secured. Thus,-

wheel are formed, has the construction that is illustrateddiagrammatically in FIGS. 3 through 9, and COHSiSlSDf a plurality ofgenerally circular, concentrically arranged warp strands, that areidentified in the drawings by nnmer als, and a plurality of generallyradial weft or fill strands,

. e3 strands are arranged in a repeating pattern, one unit of therepeating units of which is shown in FIG. 3.

For convenient reference, radially-extending zones of the fabric layerare identified in the drawings by the letters, R, S, T, U and Vrespectively. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the zone R extends fromthe radially inner edge e The zone S extends The zone T extends of thefabric layer to the line r-r. from the line r-r to the line s-s. betweenthe lines ss and tt. The zone U extends between the lines tt and uu. Thezone V extends from the line u'-u to the outer edge of the fabric layer.These lines rr, ss, and so on, correspond to visible boundary lines inthe fabric between zones in which there are different constructions. Theoverall construction of the fabric will now be described in terms of thestructure in each of these zones.

As the fabric is woven, a continuous strand, that is to form theseveral'fill strands, is pulled to form loops that pass back and forthbetween the warp strands. The arrangement of the individual loops, thatform the fill strands, is controlled to provide the graduated,increasing density of fill strands in concentric circular sections ofthe wheel 'at different radial distances from its center of rotation,from its periphery to its center.

Thus, for example, in forming the Wheel sector that is illustrated inFIG. 3, the strands A and B are formed from a single continuous fillstrand loop. As shown in FIG.

9, the lower reach A of this loop extends from the inner edge of thewheel radially outward to the periphery of the wheel, then back alongitself as the reach A Approximately at the line ss, the loop is againfolded upon itself to form the reach A and is extended radially outWardly, superposed on the underlying reach A approximately to the lineu-u, where it is led laterally and juxtaposed with the strand A, to formthe separated, discrete loop that is designated in FIG. 3 as the strandB The strand B extends out to the wheel periphery, and then back as faras the line u-u, and is then ledback on the strand A as the reach A.that extends radially inward to the inner edge of the wheel. This samecontinuous'strand is then led outwardly again to form one part of theradial fill strand C, which is doubled upon itself at the line ss, andthen led laterally at the line tt, to form the strand D; and thestructure is continued inthis way to form the pattern illustrated inFIG. 3.

Thus, still referring to FIG. 9, the first radial strand in a unit. inthe repeating pattern. from which the fabric layer is made actuallycomprises a first or lowermost reach A The strand is then bent back uponitself in a second reach A that extends through the zones V, U, and T,inclusive, and is then bent'back upon, itself to form a strand A thatextends through the zones T and U. V The strand is turned laterally andis then projected radially outwardly again, and then is folded back uponitself to form the radial, strand, B. The strand B extends only throughthe. zone V. The strand is then bent laterally and is again extendedradially inwardly upon itself, as the strand section 'A.,, that issuperposed upon the strand section A 'through the zones T and U, andthat is superposed upon the strand section A through the zones S and R.The strand is then turned laterally and again radially-outwardly, toform the radial strands C and D. The other radial strands generally areall formed in a similar manner. 7 I

The circular warp strands anchor the radial fill strands inplace andhold them at the desired angular spacing relative to, each other, orsuperposed, as requiredby the pattern. Thus, the warp strands30, 31, inzone R, are representative of the many warp strands that anehor the fillstrands in placein this zone. The warp strands in zoneR'are'plarticularly heavy, as these strands require extra strength. Thecircular strands.- 32, 34' are representative of the warp strands thatanchor the. radial fill strands in zone S.

In zone T, the warp strands are woven in sets of three, of whichthestrands 35, 3.6. and 3.7 arerepresentative, The.

threads.

warp strand 35 is passed beneath the fill strand reach A (FIG. 9'); thewarp strand 36 is passed between the fill strand reaches A and A and thewarp strand 37 is passed over the uppermost fill strand reach A In zoneU, the warp strands are also arranged in sets of 3, of which the strands40, 41, and 42 are representative. The warp strand 40 is passed beneaththe fill strand reach A the warp strand 41 is passed between the fillstand reaches A and A and the warp strand 42 is passed over the top fillstrand reach A In zone V, the warp strands are again arranged inrepeating sets of two strands, of which the strands 44, 45 arerepresentative. The warp strand 44 is passed beneath the fill strandreach A and the warp strand 45 is passed over the fill strand reach A InFIG. 4, the fill strand reaches A and A are separately shown andidentified. However, in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 5-8 as well, the other fillstrands, while shown with the appropriate number of reaches, areidentified simply as fill strands rather than by their individualreaches.

Moreover, while a single reach or section of a fill strand or warpstrand is shown in the drawings as though it were a monofilament, eachmay be in the form of a cable made of individual cords that are twistedtogether. Furthermore, while the warp strands are described and shown,as in zone R,'for example, as being woven in sets of two strands, one orboth strands may be double, triple, etc., instead of single.

Adjacent their radially outer ends, the fill strands are preferably leftunbound by warp strands for a short interval, as is customary in radialstrand wheels.

The net effect of the arrangement of fill strands, as described, is toprovide that thenumber of fill strands per circumferential inchincreases toward the center of the wheel. This is accomplished in partby packing the fill strands axially in a single fabric layer, adjacentthe center of the wheel, and spreading them out angul arly of each otheradjacent the periphery; and in part by employing loops that extend fromthe wheel periphery only part way back toward the wheel center.

To use a buffering wheel that is constructed in accordance with thisinvention, it is mounted on a spindle or arbor, and is driven at asuitable rotary speed. A suitable butfing or buffing and coloringcompound may be employed to enhance the polishing action. The workpieceis engaged against the periphery of the wheel, and the en gagement iscontinued .until the desired action has been obtained. As the wheel isused, the strands from which it is made are worn away progressively,first to consume all of the strands in the zone V, then in the zone U,and then in the zone T. When the wheel is worn down to the end of zoneT, it should be replaced.

As the strands are worn down, the rate of rotation remains constant.With wheels of the kind previously available, the rate of cutting actionwould decrease as the wheel diameter decreased. However, with wheelsthat are made in accordance with the present invention, the number ofstrand or fiber ends, in any concentric circular section of the wheelof'a given area, increases from zone V to zone U, and from zone U tozone T. This'increasein the density of the fiber ends compensates forthe reduction. in circumferential speed, so that the rate of cuttingaction remains substantially constant as the wheel diameter decreases.

Polishing wheels that are constructed in accordance with this inventionare often fabricated from cotton However, other materials may beemployed in constructing polishing wheels in accordance with thisinvention such as, for example, fibrous metals, glass fibers, plasticfibers, and, as well, more familiar materials for fabric construction,including,'for example, combinations of linenand cotton, jute andcotton, and jute and linen.

Moreover, While I have illustrated this invention in terms of aparticular kind of polishing wheel, that is, a

radial strand wheel, the principle herein disclosed may be applicable toother kinds of polishing wheel structures.

Accordingly, while the invention has been disclosed herein by referenceto the details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understoodthat such disclosure is intended in an illustrative rather than in alimiting sense, and it is contemplated that various modifications in theconstruction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A generally circular rotary bufling wheel comprising generally radialstrands that are arranged so that the density of the strands, incircular sections of equal respective areas through the strands,concentrically of the axis of rotation of the wheel, increases from theperiphery toward the center of the wheel.

2. A generally circular buffing wheel comprising generally radialstrands that are arranged so that the density of the strands, insuccessive concentric zones from the periphery of the wheel radiallyinward, increases in the respective zones from the periphery toward thecenter of the wheel.

3. A generally circular bufling Wheel comprising a fabric layer that isformed with generally circular and concentric warp strands and withgenerally radial weft strands,

said strands being arranged so that the density of the weft strands, inconcentric circular sections respectively from the periphery toward thecenter of the wheel through the fabric layer, concentrically of thewheel axis of rotation, increases.

4. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising a fabric layerthat is formed with generally circular and concentric warp strands andwith generally radial weft strands, and in which the number of weftstrands, in concentric circular sections of equal lengths respectivelythrough the fabric layer, and concentrically of the wheel axis ofrotation, increases from the periphery toward the center of the wheel.

5. A generally circular bufling wheel comprising a fabric layer that isformed with generally circular concentric warp strands and withgenerally radial weft strands, the weft strands being arranged so thatthe density of the weft strands increases in successive concentric zonesfrom the periphery of the wheel radially inward.

6. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising a fabric layerthat is formed with generally circular and concentric warp strands andwith generally radial weft strands, and in which the weft strands arearranged so that the number of weft trends, in successive concentriczones from the periphery of the wheel radially inward, in concentriccircular sections of equal respective lengths of arc, increases in therespective zones. a

7. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising generally radialstrands that are arranged in a first zone that extends radially inwardlyfrom the periphery of the wheel in a first array of juxtaposed,substantially contiguous strands that has a substantially uniformthickness, and that are arranged in a second zone that extends radiallyinwardly of the first zone in a second array of substantially contiguousstrands thatare confined together and at least some of which aredisplaced axially of the wheel to take up the same angular space in thewheel as the first array and that therefore has greater thickness thanthe first array.

8. A bufling wheel in accordance with claim 7 wherein the radial strandsare arranged in a third zone that extends radially inwardly of saidsecond zone in a third array of substantially contiguous strands thatare confined together and at least some of which are displaced axiallyof the wheel to take up the same angular space in the wheel as thesecond array and that therefore has greater thickness than the secondarray. a

9. A buffing wheel in accordance with claim 7 wherein the radial strandsare arranged so that the density ofthe strands increases in therespective arrays from the periph ery toward the center of the wheel.

10. A bufiing wheel in accordance with claim 7 including generallycircular, concentrically disposed Warp strands that are arranged to holdthe radial strands in said arrays.

11. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising generallyradial strands that are arranged in a first zone that extends radiallyinwardly from the periphery of the Wheel in a first array of juxtaposed,substantially contiguous strands that has a substantially uniformthickness, and that are arranged in a second zone that extends radiallyinwardly of said first zone in a second array of substantiallycontiguous strands that are confined together and wherein at least someadjacent radial strands are displaced relative to each other axially ofthe wheel, to take up the same angular space in the wheel as the firstarray, and wherein the radial strands are arranged in a third zone thatextends radially inwardly of said second zone in a third array ofsubstantially contiguous strands that are confined together and whereinat least some adja cent radial strands are displaced relative to eachother axially of the wheel, to take up the same angular space in thewheel as the second array. 7 7

12. A bufiing wheel in accordance with claim 11 including generallycircular, concentric warp strands that are disposed to hold the radialstrands in said arrays.

13. A buifing wheel in accordance with, claim 11 wherein the radialstrands are arranged so that the density of the strands increases in therespective arrays from the periphery toward the center of the wheel.

14. A generally circular bufiing Wheel comprising a fabric layer that isformed With generally circular and concentric warp strands and withgenerally radial fill strands, said radial fill strands being arrangedwith adjacent strands partly in axial juxtaposition'and partly'incircumferential juxtaposition, so that the radial strands are disposedin a first zone, that extends radially inwardly from the periphery ofthe wheel, in a first array of strands that has a substantially uniformthickness, and in a second zone, that extends radially inwardly of thefirst zone,

in a second array of strands that has a number of strands disposed inaxial juxtaposition and a number in circumferential juxtapositionwhereby the strands in the second array are confined together to take upthe same angular space in the wheel as the first array and thattherefore have greater thickness than the first array.

15. A buffing wheel in accordance with claim '14 wherein the radialstrands are arranged so that the number of strands ,per inch, incircular sections concentrically of the wheel in the respective arrays,increases from the periphery toward the center of the wheel. g

16. A generally circular buffing wheel comprising a plurality ofsuperposed, helically-wound layers of flexible fabric-like material,each layer comprising generally radial strands that are arranged in afirst zone, that extends radially inwardly'from the periphery of thewheel, in a first array of strands that has a substantially uniformthickness, and in a second zone, that extends radially inwardly of saidfirst zone, in a secondarray of strands that are confined together totake up the same angular space in the wheelasthe first array and thattherefore have a greater thickness than the first array, and wherein theradialstrands are, also arranged in a third zone,,that extends radiallyinwardly of said second zone, in a third array of strands that areconfined together to take up the same angular space in the wheel as thesecond'array and that therefore have greater thickness than the second au sections concentrically of the wheel in the respective 20. A buflingWheel according to claim 13 wherein arrays, increases from the peripherytowardv the center the radial strands per inch of circumference of said,wheel of the Wheel. in the respective arrays increases from theperiphery 18. A bufiing Wheel in accordance with claim 16 toward thecenter of saidwheel.

wherein the density of the, radial strands increases in the 5 hrespective arrays from the periphery toward the center References Citedin the file of this patent of X f h t I 7 h UNITED STATES PATENTS u g Wee accor mg 0 calm W ereln v I l the radial strands per inch ofcircumference of said Wheel Schlegel 1924 in the respective arraysincreases from the periphery l0 7 toward the center of said Wheel.

Schlegel July 5',v 1960

1. A GENERALLY CIRCULAR ROTARY BUFFING WHEEL COMPRISING GENERALLY RADIALSTRANDS THAT ARE ARRANGED SO THAT THE DENSITY OF THE STRANDS, INCIRCULAR SECTIONS OF EQUAL RESPECTIVE AREAS THROUGH THE STRANDS,CONCENTRICALLY OF THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE WHEEL, INCREASES FROM THEPERIPHERY TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL.